About the Program

The Body Matters, based on St. John Paul’s life-affirming Theology of the Body (TOB), is a teaching tool intended to assist primary educators (parents) in forming their children, and to be inserted into already-existing curricula at Catholic schools and parish faith formation programs.

In November 2015, TOBET’s Episcopal Advisory Board, led by Archbishop Samuel Aquila, confirmed the need to create an original, inspiring, age-appropriate TOB program. Despite common misconceptions about TOB, The Body Mattersis not a “birds-and-bees” centered program. Rather, its purpose is to form children in the faith and to combat the destructive messages they absorb from the culture.

While not addressing these controversial issues directly, The Body Matters program, infused with St. John Paul’s theology, will restore the dignity of the human person and form families and their children in the truths of the Catholic faith, precisely through a deeper understanding of the human BODY.

TOBET is well equipped to respond to the call of their Episcopal Advisory Board. ”With over 20 years teaching and catechetical experience, Monica Ashour, M.T.S., M Hum. has built a team of experts in childhood development, children’s literature, graphic design, and curriculum expertise, working toward the accomplishment of this major endeavor.

Several local schools and parishes have agreed to pilot this groundbreaking curriculum, helping us to expand its effectiveness and reach. One principal saw right away that students can be taught things like putting away cell phones at the dinner table, why bullying is wrong, and how to behave at Mass, all from a TOB angle. It’s life-affirming.

Special pricing for book sets and educator guides available for schools and faith formation programs. Please call us at 972-395-5593, or toll free at 888-855-4791.

“What a blessing to find resources that go to the heart of the message of Theology of the Body…”

“The format of the grade level books, with the breakdown into separate lessons that build on one another, and build concepts from grade to grade, is providing a common language and understanding among all our students.”

“…age appropriate TOB curriculum for kids…”

“Thank you for developing a positive, age appropriate TOB curriculum for kids in a culture that devalues our beautiful church teaching. … We have to share the truth about our bodies especially in the midst of our current church crisis with the clergy sex abuse scandal. I was so happy to learn it was seven U.S. Catholic Bishops that asked TOBET to develop a TOB curriculum for kids! We need strong leaders to help us battle the culture, and battle this sickness happening within our church. The crisis is exactly what prompted me to research curriculum that would help educate my last and 5th child at home and my youngest Godchild. Thank you for helping me catechize those precious to me, it truly is a privilege.”

Mary Caldwell, Mother of 5

Tacoma, WA

“The books are just brilliant!”

“Can I just say what a wonderful job you and the team have done with the TOBET resources! I purchased… 7 books for young kids [TOB for Tots, TOB for Kids, and the Body as a Sacrament]. … the books are just brilliant! It has really helped me in my work with schools…to incorporate TOB… and build an understanding with students of a Christian Anthropology. I look forward to the rest of the TOBET resources!”

Daryl Castellino, Leader of Learning

Santa Sophia Catholic College, Sydney, Australia

“It builds a foundation in a way they can understand… Best Foundation Ever”

“The dialogue that we are having with the students using TOB language and examples is essential! It builds the foundation in a way they can understand. They see the relevance of TOB in their everyday life as children. They can intentionally apply the truth of God’s inner circle of love in their life right now, in the relationships that are most meaningful to them at this stage in their life. Helping them understand what full gift of self means and how they can live it out—Best Foundation Ever. We are preparing them to be able to engage their intellect when it comes to topics of sexuality.”

Colleen Smith, 5th Grade Teacher

Saint Peter Catholic School, Lincoln, NE

Take a Look at Select Pages from Our Books:

“This theology of the body is the basis of… the most appropriate method of… man’s education….” TOB 59:3

Answers to Your TBM Questions:

WHAT?

The Theology of the Body (TOB) is a positive, beautiful approach explaining how the human person is made in God’s image and likeness. The Body Matters (TBM) lesson book series compelling convey the Catholic faith in an accessible, age-appropriate way.As one educator put it: “One of the amazing things about The Body Matters is that it gives us a new way of seeing the Catholic faith, and the children respond so well. For example, instead of saying, ‘Respect each other,’ the third grader will say, ‘The body shows us we deserve reverence—wonder and awe!’”

TBM resource is often used as a supplement for Faith Formation programs and Catholic schools to help children see the sacredness of the body. One DRE said, “Can I just say what a wonderful job you and the team have done with the TOBET resources!”

The Body Matters presents Saint John Paul’s teachings on the body rendered in language accessible to children, with beautiful illustrations, practical examples, and solid Catholic catechesis. One teacher said: “Helping them understand what full gift of self means and how they can live it out—Best Foundation Ever.We are preparing them to be able to engage their intellect when it comes to topics of sexuality.”

WHY?

Unfortunately, many mistakenly view TOB as sex education rather than what it is: a total vision of the human person who is made for true and lasting love.In a culture where the body is considered “an enemy to freedom,” Saint John Paul’s Theology of the Body is needed more than ever. For example, one page says, “God designed all humans as either male or female. Every cell of a boy’s body shows that he is a boy. Every cell of a girl’s body shows that she is a girl. These God-given limits teach boys that they will grow up to be men and girls that they will grow up to be women.” While not addressing controversial issues directly, The Body Matters resource unfolds for children the proper understanding of the dignity of the human person from a fresh perspective. One principal saw right away that students can be taught things like putting away cell phones at the dinner table, why bullying is wrong, and how to behave at Mass, all from a “TOB” angle. It’s life-affirming and a way of evangelizing—loving Jesus is the goal.

HOW?

Some parishes encourage using The Body Matters as family catechesis, so adults and children alike come to see the truths of the Catholic faith, precisely through a deeper understanding of the human BODY. From one educator: “Occasionally throughout the year I sent the books home with an assignment to read and discuss part of a chapter with their parents. It provided a way to evangelize and to partner with the parents. One parent sent me a beautiful thank you note for giving her and her husband a better understanding of TOB and a way of speaking and acting the truth of the body at home. It made a difference!”

WHY TRUST TOBET?

In November 2015, TOBET’s Episcopal Advisory Board, led by Archbishop Samuel Aquila who has given the Imprimatur on all of our books, confirmed our decision to create an original, inspiring, age-appropriate TOB curriculum, to form children in the faith and combat the destructive messages they absorb from the culture.

TOBET is well-equipped to respond to this call. With over 20 years teaching and catechetical experience and an expert in TOB, Monica Ashour, M.T.S., M Hum. has built a team of experts in childhood development, children’s literature, graphic design, and curriculum expertise, working toward the accomplishment of this major endeavor.